Kenneth Howard

I've had dance fever every since the days of the "Wop", "Cabbage Patch" and the "Running Man". I've been a Hip-Hop head since the days of the Sugar Hill Gang through Run-DMC all the way up to DMX. But Salsa changed that. Over the past 4 years I have dissed the Hip-Hop dance scene in favor of the Jazz Kitchen, the Red Room, the Vault and the Blue Cactus.

CJ and I became interested in Salsa about 5 years ago. We went to the Indianapolis Ballroom Company looking for classes in "Steppin'". Of course the instructions there had no idea what stepping is so the offered to teach us the Waltz, Fox Trot, Samba, Swing and Salsa. "Salsa!!! What the hell is that? This dance looks hot. Please teach us that dance." So we took our first lessons and soon realized how hard it is for some couples to learn Salsa together. CJ complained that I couldn't lead. "Of course I can't lead someone who cannot follow." So our newfound joy was quickly muted. But in 2000, when I became owner of Club Mecca, I quickly convinced my partners to host Latin Fridays. It wasn't long before I met Doug "Tee" Tompkins, who took me under his wing. Well, I then found out that CJ was right; I did not know how to lead!! But I spent enough time with Tee (3 days a week for about 12 months) to learn the nuances of leading, the fun of footwork and the joy of putting combinations together. Well, what do you know, all of a sudden, CJ enjoyed dancing with me. The problem was, she still couldn't follow. Ha, Ha!! Problem? No problem. Salsa mania took over. Hello Hawaii Congresso. Can you say Palm Springs Summer Dance Camp? Did you see those 15 instructional videos that we have? I put her narrow end in boot camp.

So guess what our favorite pastime is? Dancing Salsa. That's right. But I still love Hip-hop. So every chance I get, we dance Salsa to Hip-hop music. I'm trying to start a movement. Can you Mambo to Lil' John? Yeah!!